Richard Lee Hornaday

Dick was born on June 13, 1935, in Salem, Oregon and lived there until his death on September 2, 2024.

Known for a sly sense of humor which often left neighbors and colleagues bewildered, Dick was famous for his military mid-70s make Volkswagen “Thing.” He’d arrive to work as Talmadge Middle School principal behind the wheel of his custom khaki green Thing, emblazoned with huge white general’s stars on the doors and a four-star flag mounted to the front bumper.

Dick graduated from North Salem High School in 1953 and joined the US Marine Corps for a three-year stint in January of 1954. Stationed in Japan at Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp Fuji, Dick went on to earn the National Defense Service Medal, UN Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal (1st Award).

Upon his discharge from the Marines, Dick attended the University of Oregon (UO) from 1957–1960 and pledged the UO chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Following graduation from UO, Dick started his first teaching appointment at St. Helens High School in 1961 and worked summers fighting fires for the US Forestry Service. While teaching at St. Helens High School, Dick met his wife, Mary Lou Anderson. They were married in June of 1963, and remained so until his death.

In 1973, Dick was hired as co-principal working alongside fellow co-principal Keith Jensen at Molalla Grade School, one of the first experiments in year-round scheduling. Dick and Keith knew the district and the community were watching how they planned to manage the unorthodox learning environment. They made it work, and in the long run, they made more rules than they broke. However, one former co-worker of Dick’s was overheard to say, “Every time Dick talks about Molalla Grade School, his glasses fog up.”

Pulling up stakes in 1977, Dick was hired as the principal at Talmadge Middle School in Independence, OR. Here Dick was partnered with vice-principal Donald Tichenor. Tichenor, nearly double Dick’s height, was an ideal administrative partner. Matched in humor and integrity, they often referred to the professional pairing as “The Hammer and the Anvil.”

Retired from Central School District in 1991, Dick went on to partner with the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators acting as consultant and a promoter of Life Track Services, Inc.

Dick is survived by his wife Mary Lou Hornaday, his son Cole Hornaday, and daughter Kindra Oliver (and husband, Tom). He was a proud grandfather to Riley Johnson, Cody Johnson (and wife, Anne), and Hadley Oliver.

Please join us for Richard Lee Hornaday’s celebration of life.

When: October 19th, 2024 @ 1pm

Where: Capitol Manor Auditorium

1955 Salem Dallas Hwy NW

Salem, OR 97304